Endless track tool



April 27, .1948. JAKOUBEK ET AL 2,440,512 ENDLESS TRACK T001. 4

Filed Jan.j9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet .1

April 27, 1948. F. J. JAKOUBEKET AL 2,440,512

ENDLES S TRACK TOOL Filed Jan. 9, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr; 27, 1948 ENDLESS TRACK TOOL Frank J. Jakoubek, Elmwood Park, and William E. Gahl, Berwyn, 11]., assignors to Templeton, Kenly & Co. Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 9,1943, Serial No. 471,912

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in endless track tools and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One form of the endless track employed in the heavier tractors, military tanks and the like, include plate-like traction shoes having trunnions projecting from the ends of each side thereof to receive bearing sleeves on connector plates that operatively connect the end of adjacent shoes together. When a breakage occurs in such a track that requires a repair or replacement of a part thereof, great difliculty is encountered not only in pulling a connector plate off its trunnions, but in drawing the broken end of the track together intosuch position that a new connector plate may be applied. We are aware that certain tools are available for each purpose, but these are open to a number of objections which it is the purpose of this invention to overcome.

One of the objects of thepresent invention is to provide a strong, light weight tool that may be readily handled by one man and which may be used either to pull a connector plate from the track or to draw the broken ends of the track together into that position making it an easy matter to apply a new connector plate.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a tool of this kind which is compact in size so as to take up but little carrying space and which has its parts so arranged and correlated that the screw employed therein is relieved or guarded against buckling or bending in use and so that the tool cannot bind or jam but will always remain in a good operating condition.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a part of an endless track structure showing the use of a pair of the improved tools in pulling the broken ends of such a track structure together into that position permitting the application of a connector plate thereto.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of a part of an endless track structure with one of the improved tools in position thereon for pulling a connector plate therefrom.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 3. a

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the left hand end of the tool appearing in Fig. 2 on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Figs. 6 and 7 respectively are transverse verti cal sectional views on the scale of Fig. 5, as taken on the lines 6-6 and 1-1 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 8 and 9 respectively are perspective views of a pair of block-like elements forming a part of the tool and which will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. 10 is a. view in side elevation of a modified form of parts appearing at the left hand sideof Fig. 4. 7

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate one form of endless track structure with which the improved tool may be readily used. Such a track structure includes a plurality of rectangular; plate-like shoes Ill-40, each formed at each side thereof with a pair of outwardly projecting trunnions l|-|l. Adjacent shoes of the structure are connected together at both sides by means of end connectors l2-|2. Each connector includes a driving or traction lug l3 and a pair of open ears I 4 "l4 projecting laterally from one face thereof. Each ear is adapted to operatively receive a trunnion lI-ll which is journalled therein and said ears are connected together by a web [5 which has a hole l6 therein (see Fig. 2), the purpose of which will later appear.

The improved tool, which is indicated as a whole at 20 includes a pair of parallel edgewise disposed relatively long bars or rails 2l--2l providing a duplex beam. Between one end of said bars, which for convenience is termed the actuating end of the tool, is located a spacer block 22 which has recesses 23 (see Fig. 7) in its sides, each to receive the associated end of the bars. A bolt 24 passes through the bars and a part of the block and holds said parts together in operative relation. The block 22 is provided in'its upper portion with a hole 25 (see Fig. 7) in which is journalle'd apart 26 of a relatively long screw 21. Said screw part 26 extends outwardly beyond the ends of the bars where a bifurcated socket 2B is journalled thereon. Between the spaced arm 28:; 0f the socket is located a ratchet wheel 29 that is fixed to the screw part 26 and a washer and pin assembly 30 is provided on the extremity of said screw part to hold the parts in position. The screw 21 is provided adjacent the block 22 with an annular shoulder 3| and between this shoulder and the inner face of the block 25 is a thrust bearing 32. The socket is formed at its free end to receive an actuating lever 33 and there carries a finger lug 33a. The socket also carries a reversible pawl 34 to coact with the ratchet wheel so that the screw may be turned step by step in either direction, as is well known.

The opposite end of the bars 2 I--2I engag in recesses 35-35 in the sides of a block member 36, best shown. in perspective in Fig. 8. A transverse bolt .31 passes through the parts mentioned whereby the said member 36 and the bars 2 I2I are rigidly connected together. The block member 36 is provided with a bottom extension 38 and in the front face thereof is a recess 39. 'A hole 40 (see Fig. 8) is provided in the extension below the recess and this hole lines up with a recess 4I (see Fig. 2) in the block memberjabove the recess. At one side of the block member 36 and rising from the top surface thereof is a hook 42 that faces in a direction opposite the recess 39. In the upper central part of the body ofwthe block member is a threaded longitudinal hole 43 (see Fig. 8) which receives a bolt-like adjusting stem or member 44. Associated with the bolt 3! is a nut 46 which secures an ear-ed plate 41 to the bars. This eared plate has oneend of a chain 48 fixed thereto and the other end of which is connected to one end of a pin 49 that may be insertedup through the opening40 into the recess 41 in the block member 36 for a purpose soon to appear. When said pin is not disposed in said opening and recess respectively, it hangs from the tool as a whole, by means of the chain and will not readily become lost.

50 indicates a second block-like member that has az sliding guided engagement on the rails 2| between the blocks 22 and 36 that are fixed to said rails. The block-like member 56, which best appears in perspective in Fig. 9, is provided in its opposite sides with grooves I-5I which fit and receive the inner'sides .of the rails 2 I-.-2I. This permits the block to slide on therails, but prevents the displacement of said block with respect to said bars. Centrally in the upper portion. of the body of the block-like member 50 is a threaded hole 52' (see Fig. 9") in which the screw 2.111% a threaded engagement. Rising on one side of the top of said block-like members 51 is anupstandi-ng hook 53 which when'the parts betore-described are assembled, faces the hook 42 of the block like member '36. Said block-like member 50 is flanged laterally at the bot-tom as indicatedat 54 and secured as by-welding to said bottom is a pair of laterally Spaced stems 55. These stems have a diameter approximating that of the trunnion-s I'I-II of the track-structure and arespaced apart t coincide-with the spacing between the axis of the ears 'I4=l4 of the connector plates 12. With said stems so spaced, they are capable of straddling the extension 3-8 of the block member 36 when thetblock member 50 is in one position with respect. to said block member .3 6. p

- When it is necessary to pull a connectoryplate 4-2 from, the plate trunnions II upon whieh-itsis mounted, only one tool is employed, as appears in Figs; 3 and and when it is necessary-todraw :theshoes :of thetrack structure at opposite sides of a break therein, two tools are employed, as appears in .Figs. 1 and 2. In'removing a connector plate, the following procedure may be followed.

48. The tool as a whole "is thus-(disposed, p rpendicular to the sideof the trackstructure with 4 the block member 36 facing the same. The tool is then moved in toward the track structure so that the recess 39 of the block member 36 straddles the web I5 of the connector plate to be pulled and so that the hole and recess 4| in said member line up with the hole I6 in said web of said connector plate. Thepin- 49 is then inserted up through the hole 40 in the block and is passed through the hole I6 in the web of the con- .nector plate I2 operated upon and into the recess 4| of said block member. The bolt-like stem 44 is then turned by the fingers until its free end ngages the lug I3 of the connector plate.

The socket.;28 is now turned in that direction which will, through-the screw 21, cause the blocklike member 5.0 to be moved along the rails 2 I-2I toward the block-like member 36 until the stems socket, as the connector plate is fixed to the,

block member 36 by the pin 49., a pulling force istransmitted therethrough to pull the connector plate on the trunnions II-II- With the bolt or screw-like stem 44 engaged with the lug of the connector plate, the pulling action cannot crock or twist the toolas a whole and cause it to swing about anaxis as provided y the engaged ends of the stems 55 and trunnions I I. .It will be noted that the bolt or screw-like stem 44 issub- .stantially aligned with the screw 21 and therefore asteady pull in a direction parallel with the axis of the trunnions II-.-II is .afiorded and this without causing the connector plate to bindon said trunnions or pins.

0 As before mentioned, to draw two adjacent broken ends of the track structure together into operative relation, two tools are employed, one on each side of the structure at the break as shown in Fig. 1. In carrying out this peration, the tool is manipulated to back the block-like member away from the block-like member 36 a distance somewhat greater than the distance between the two ends orthe track structure at the break.

The'hook 42 of the block 36 -:of one tool 20 is firstengaged with a trunnion I I atone side of the structure at the break. By turning the socket 28 inthe proper direction, the block is caused to move along the rails 2I-.2-I until its hook 53 engages the trunnion at the other end of the break. By reason of the engagement of the hooks with said trunnions, the tool is now supported along one side of the track structure and substantially parallel therewith. The other tool 20 is applied and attached in place in the same way to the track structure at the other end of the break. If only one man is at work,he first turns the socket 28 of one tool and then the socket 2,8 of the other tool step bystep. This causes the blocks 36.and. 56-of both tools to approach each other and by reason of the engagement the hooks 42 and 53 have with said trunnions II-II at, both sides of the shoes at the break, the shoes are drawn toward each other until they reach the position where the-trunnions I I-I I, are disposed so that a connector plate I2 may be applied thereto. It is to be noted from Fig. 1 that the hooks 42 and 53 of the block members 36 and 50 are disposed adjacent the sides of the shoes and 7 ing upon its trunnions li--l i.

ll-il extend outwardly beyond the sides of the hooks so as to permit them to enter the sleeves l4-I4 of the connector plate being applied. After the connector plates have been initially applied as above mentioned, they hold the shoes together so that both tools 20-20 may be removed from the track structure simply by turning the sockets 28 of said tools in the other direction to back the block members 50 away from the block members 36. The connector plates I2-l2 may now be driven home into position on the trunnions to be pinned thereto in the usual manner.

It is pointed out that with the construction described, the axis of the screw 21 is disposed quite close to the line of resistance as imposed upon the tool by the engagement with the trunnions i l--l I at the break in the track structure. This arrangement in connection with the use'and position of the bolt-like stem 44 so closely to the line of force developed in the operation of the tool, not only prevents the tool from crocking or twisting out of place to jump ed the engaged trunnions due to the said application of force but also prevents tipping of the connector plate and bind- Another feature of advantage is that by the edgewise arrangement of the bars 2i2i, they function as a duplex beam ably to resist all buckling pressures or forces and protect the screw 21 against such forces so that it remains straight and true. Therefore the block member 50 can never bind upon said screw so that a freely operating tool is had at all times. Also, it is to be noted that the bars 2l--2| protect the screw from being nicked or injured while in a box with other tools and this too assists in affording a free operating too] because there will be no burrs on the threads of the screw to cause a binding of the block member 50 thereon.

Instead of employing the pin 49 and its associated chain 48 as and for the purpose before described, we may employ the arrangement shown in Fig. thereby simplifying the structure by eliminating the chain 48, member 41 and the bottom extension 33 on the block member. To do this We employ a pin'49 having a pressed in fit in the block member 36 so that a part of said pin projects below the block member 36. This part of the pin then acts as a downwardly facing hook that is entered into a hole I6 in the mid portion of the connector plate from above. With said part of the pin, which is relatively short, disposed in said hole, the tool is operated as before described and the connector plate is slowly and steadily pulled from its associated trunnions.

While in describing the invention we have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense and therefore we do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims. t

We claim as our invention:

1. A tool of the kind described and embodying therein means providing a rigid beam, block-like members mounted on said beam for arelative longitudinal movement thereon, one of said members carrying a part for detachable engagement with a part of the connector plate mounted on adjacent trunnions of an endless track structure, a pair of laterally spaced projecting members carried by the other member and positioned in alignment with and adapted to engage said trunnions, when said other member moves toward the first mentioned one, means for producing said said laterally spaced projecting members engage said trunnions.

2. A tool of the kind described and embodying therein means providing a rigid beam, a pin-like part fixed with respect to one end of the beam and adapted to be detachably engaged in an opening in a part of the connector plate of an endless track structure having trunnions upon which said plate is operatively engaged, a blocklike member mounted on said beam for longitudinal movement thereon toward and away from said one end of the beam, means carried by said blocklike member and adapted for engagement with said trunnions as said block-like member moves toward said one end of the beam, and means for imparting movement to said block-lik member on said beam toward and away from said one end of the beam.

f '3. A tool of the kind described and embodying therein means providing a rigid beam, blocklike members mounted on said beam for a relative longitudinal movement thereon, one of said said members and adapted for engagement with said trunnions, means for producing said relative movement between said block-like members, and means adjustably engaged with said first mentioned block-like member and adapted for engag- 'ing another part of said connector plate for preto be detachably engaged in an opening in a part 01" the connector plate engaged upon a pair of trunnions or an endless track structure, means carried by the second block-like member and adapted for engagement with said trunnions when said second block-like member is moved toward the first mentioned one, and means for moving the second block-like member-toward and away from the first mentioned one.

5. A tool of the kind described embodying therein means providing a beam, means for det'achably connectin one endof said beam to a "connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced ,-trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endless track structure, a member mounted on said beam for movement toward and away from said end of the beam and carrying parts arranged below said beam and extending toward said end thereof,

said parts being spaced to engage the ends of said trunnions when said member is moved toward said end of the beam, and means for moving said member on said beam toward and away from said end thereof.

- f6. A tool of the kind described embodying therein means providing a beam, means for detachably connecting one end of said beam toia connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endless track structure and which connector plate includes a traction lug, a member mounted on said beam for movement toward and away from said end and carrying parts extending toward said end of the beam and spaced to engage the ends of said trunnions when said member is moved toward said end of the beam, means carried by said end of the beam for engagin v said traction lug when said parts exert a pushing force against said ends of said trunnion .to. prevent tipping of said connector plate, and means for moving said-member on said beam toward and away from said end thereof. I v

' 7. A tool. of the kind described embodying therein means providing a beam, means for detachably connecting one end of said beam to a connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endless track structure and which connector plate includes a traction lug, a member mounted on said beam for movement toward and away from said end and carrying parts extending toward said end of the beam and spaced to engage the ends of said trunnions when said member is moved toward said end of the beam, means carried by said end of the beam for engaging said traction lug when said parts exert a pushing force against said ends of said trunnions to prevent tipping ofv said connector plate, said last mentioned means being adjustable in length longitudinally of the beam,and means for moving said member on said beam toward and away from said end thereof.

8 A tool of the kind described, embodying therein means providing a beam, means providing a depending projection on one end of the beam for detachable engagement in an opening ina connector plate mounted on a pair of'spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endless track structure, a member mounted on :said beam for .movement toward and away from said end of the beam and carrying parts extending towardsaid end of the beam and spaced to engage the ends of said trunnions when said member is moved toward said end of the beam, and means for moving said member on said beam toward and away from said end thereof.

9. A tool of the kind described, embodying therein means providing a beam, means providing. a depending projection on one end of the beam for detachable engagement in an opening in a connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endless track structure, and which connector plate includes a traction lug, .a member mounted on said beam for movement toward and, away from said end and carrying parts extending toward said end of the beam, means carried by said end of the beam for engaging said traction lug when said parts exert a pushing force against said ends of said trunnions to prevent tipping of said connector plate, and means for moving said member ,on'said beam toward and away from said end thereof.

,10. A tool of the-kind described, embodying therein a beam including a pair of laterally spaced bars, a member connecting the bars at one end of. the beam together, means carried by the member at said one end of said beam for detachably. connecting said end ofv the beam to a connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of anendless track structure, a block-like member mounted on said bars for movement toward or away from said member at said one end of the beam and-carrying .parts that extend toward said one end of the 18 beam and which parts arespacedtoeneagethe ends of said trunnions when said block-like member is moved toward said end of the beam,

and .means for moving said block-like member on said beam toward and away from said one end thereof.

11. A tool of the kind described,=-embodying thereinva beam including, a pair oilaterally spaced bars,.a member connecting the bars at one end. of the beam together, means carried bythe member at said one end of said beams for .detachably connecting said end of the beam to .a connector plate mounted on a pair of spaced trunnions on adjacent shoes of an endles track structure, and which connector plate includes a. traction lug, a block-like member mounted on said bars for movement toward and. away from said member at said one end of the beam and carrying parts that extend toward saidone .end of the beam and which parts are spacedtoengage the ends of said trunnions when said block-like member is moved toward said end of the beam, means carried by said member at said one end of the beam for engaging said traction lug when said parts exert. a pushing force against saidends of said trunnions to prevent tipping of said con-.-

nector plate, and means for moving said block,- like member on said beam toward or away from said end thereof.

12. A tool of the kind described embodying therein a beam including a pair of laterally structure, and which connector .plate includes a' traction lug, a'block-like member mounted on said bars for movement toward and away from said member at said one end of the beam and carrying parts that extend toward said one end of the beam and which parts are spaced to engage the ends of said trunnions when said-blocklike member is moved toward said end of the beam, means carried by said member at said one end of the beam for engaging said traction. lug when said parts exert a pushing force against said ends of said trunnions to prevent tipping of said connector plate, said last mentioned means being disposed above said means carried at said one end of said beam for .detachably connecting the same to said connector plate and being adjustable longitudinally of said beam, and means for moving said block-like member on said beam toward or away from said end thereof.

13. A tool of the kind described embodying therein a beam, a member fixed to one end of saidbeam, a second member mounted on the beam for longitudinal guided movement toward and away from the first mentioned member, a pair of laterally spaced trunnion engageable stems carried by said second member below and arranged parallel with the beam and facing the first mentioned member, means carried by the first mentioned member and disposed in apiane between the planes of said stems and adapted for detachable engagement with a party of a connector plate, and means carried by the beam and engaged with the second member and operable to move the same longitudinally of the beam toward and away from the first mentioned member.

.14. A tool of the kind described embodying therein. a beam including a pair of laterally 9 spaced rails, a block-like member fixed between one end of said rails, a second block-like member fixed between the other end of said rails, a third block-like member disposed between the mid portions of said rails and having a guided engagement therewith for movement thereon toward either one of the first two mentioned block-like members, a part of said third blocklike member depending :below said rail, a pair of laterally spaced trunnion engageable stems fixed to said part of the third block-like member and arranged parallel with said rails and extending toward the first mentioned block-like member, means carried by the first mentioned block-like member and disposed in a plane between the planes of said stems and adapted for detachable engagement with a part of a connector plate, and means disposed between said rails and engaged with said second and said third mentioned blocklike members and operable to move said third 10 mentioned block-like member toward or away from either the first or the second mentioned ones of said block-like members.

FRANK J. JAKOUBEK. WILLIAM E. GAHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

